Page 24 - ARUBA TODAY

A24 HEALTH
Wednesday 25 april 2018

Treating Blood Pressure Problems

[hypertension]

Low blood count reduces your blood’s ability Mari Watanabe-Kamiyama reported in the Brit-
to carry oxygen through your body. To com- ish Journal of Nutrition that biotin has beneficial
pensate, your heart starts beating faster and effects on hypertension and the frequency of
stronger. Blood pressure rises. The human body stroke.
needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells, Biotin is one of the B complex vitamins that help
nerves, DNA, and carry out other functions. The the body convert food into energy.
average adult should get 2.4 micrograms a The word biotin comes from the ancient Greek
day. Like most vitamins, B12 can’t be made by word “biotos,” which means “life” or “suste-
the body. Instead, it must be gotten from food nance.” B vitamins, and specifically biotin, help
or supplements. In older people, B12 deficiency keep your skin, hair, eyes, liver, and nervous sys-
has been linked to dementia. This deficiency tem healthy. Biotin is also a crucial nutrient dur-
has also been linked to other neurodegenera- ing pregnancy, as it’s important for embryonic
tive disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Par- growth.
kinson’s disease. When a new patient has blood pressure of 140
Individuals who experience even slightly re- over 90 or more, I do a blood test to check for
duced levels of vitamin B12 also tend to have Insulin resistance (pre-diabetes). The National
By: Dr Carlos Viana elevated homocysteine levels. Homocysteine Diabetes Information Clearinghouse reports
is an amino acid used normally by the body in high blood sugar contributes to high blood
making energy and making muscles. Elevated pressure. One of the proposed uses of the herb
Hypertension, high blood pressure is a risk fac- concentrations in the blood are thought to in- milk thistle is to lower blood sugar levels, which
tor associated with heart attacks and strokes. crease the risk for heart disease by damaging may ultimately cause a decrease in blood pres-
Blood pressure readings involve two number, the lining of blood vessels and increasing the sure. Mayo Clinic states animal and laboratory
one above the other. The top number, which risk of blood clot formation. Always make sure research found milk thistle may be capable of
is also the higher of the two numbers, measures you are taking a B complex with your B 12 or lowering high cholesterol levels. If this is true, milk
the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, other B’s. They work best together. thistle may help lower blood pressure by elimi-
that is, when the heart muscle contracts. The When I studied and worked as a Traditional Chi- nating excessive cholesterol within the arteries.
top number is called the Systolic number. The nese Medical doctor in Shanghai one of our For centuries natural physicians have used milk
bottom number, the Diastolic, which is also the principle natural medicines was rice that had thistle to help the liver detoxify.
lower of the two numbers, measures the pres- a yeast or fungus growing on the grains. The Get the Point! Years ago, nutritionists would take
sure in the arteries between heartbeats (when yeast called Monascus purpureus, turns the rice your blood pressure, have you eat one food
the heart muscle is resting between beats and a red color. Called Red yeast rice, it has a long and check your blood pressure ten minutes
refilling with blood). history of use as both a food and a medicine later. If your blood pressure rose more than ten
I consider abnormal blood pressure to be more in China. Red yeast rice contains natural mo- points, that food was considered to be intoler-
than 140/90. Like an overinflated tire or bal- nacolin K, which has properties very similar to ant, or not good for you. The food – blood pres-
loon, that can rupture, a burst blood vessel in cholesterol-lowering prescription medications sure connection is well established. Thankfully,
the brain causes a stroke and in the heart blood known as statins. Besides helping the liver con- we can use natural food dietary supplements
vessels that are blocked or broken can cause vert the cholesterol into a healthier bile, clinical to help control our blood pressure naturally.q
a heart attack. When the largest artery in the tests have looked at the benefits of red yeast CARLOS VIANA, Ph. D. is an Oriental Medi-
body, the aorta, is torn or ruptured, traumatic rice to treat other cardiovascular disorders, in- cal Doctor (O.M.D.) having studied in Chi-
aortic rupture is a life- threatening condition. cluding hypertension, high blood pressure. na; a US Board Cert. Clinical Nutritionist
Blood pressure problems should not be ignored With low, weak blood or low blood sugar, hy- (C.C.N.), an Addiction Professional (C.Ad.),
and should instead, if possible, be treated with poglycemia, the body tightens or constricts the Chairperson of the Latin American Com-
natural supplements. blood vessels to increase oxygen and glucose mittee of the International Academy of
Clinically, I have found that there are many rea- movement. Constriction of the blood vessels Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT),
sons that produce high blood pressure, weak is the body’s way to raise the blood pressure. a Rejuvenating Cell Therapist specializing
blood, or anemia, high cholesterol, pre- diabe- By narrowing the passage in the blood vessels, in Age Management, has a weekly radio
tes, stress, tight blood vessels or liver problems. blood flows more slowly to the organs and the program, writes and lectures extensively.
Fortunately, we can treat many of the different arms and legs. I prescribe Biotin supplementa- For information: VIANA HEALING CENTER,
reasons that develop hypertension with natural tion to reduces systolic blood pressure by help- Kibaima 7, St Cruz TEL: 585-1270 Web Site:
dietary supplements made from organic food. ing arteries be smoother and able to relax more. www.vianaheal.com